Socceramerica - The U.S. U-19 women’s national team, coached by Keri Sarver, will face Japan (Sept. 10), host China (Sept. 12) and Iran (Sept. 14) at the CFA International Women’s Youth Tournament in Duyun, China.
The Iran game will mark the second meeting between the two nations in women’s soccer. In April of last year, the U.S. U-16 girls national team beat Iran, 6-0, at the Women’s Torneo Delle Nazioni
The U.S. opponents in China will be U-20 teams. Sarver’s 22-player squad is comprised of 16 players born in 2000, three 1999s and three 2001s.
The 2001s are forward Jordan Canniff, midfielder Astrid Wheeler and defender Kate Wiesner, who have been called up from the U.S. U-17s.
The 1999s, three key U-20 players -- midfielders Jaelin Howell (1999) and Brianna Pinto (2000) and forward Sophia Smith (2000) – who are still playing youth ball have called up to get additional experience vs. U-20 competition. (Because the majority of U-20s are involved in college soccer, Coach Jitka Klimkova’s team has limited programming during the fall.)
All the players on the roster are eligible Klimkova’s team, which is aiming to qualify for the 2018 U-20 Women’s World Cup (for players born in 1998 or later).
U.S. U-19 women’s national team
GOALKEEPERS (2): Claudia Dickey (Charlotte Soccer Academy; Charlotte, N.C.), Meagan McClelland (Sky Blue-PDA; Kearny, N.J.).
DEFENDERS (7): Maycee Bell (Sporting Blue Valley; Wichita, Kan.), Sydney Dawson (Internationals SC; Akron, Ohio), Madelyn Desiano (So Cal Blue Soccer Club; San Clemente, Calif.), Naomi Girma (California Thorns FC; San Jose, Calif.), Shae Holmes (Real Colorado; Highland Ranch, Colo.), Brianna Martinez (New Mexico Rush; Albuquerque, N.M.), Kate Wiesner (LAFC Slammers; Monrovia, Calif.).
MIDFIELDERS (7): Cori Dyke (Colorado Rush; Littleton, Colo.), Emily Gray (Penn Fusion; Sewell, N.J.), Jaelin Howell (Real Colorado; Windsor, Colo.), Jenna Nighswonger (LAFC Slammers; Huntington Beach, Calif.), Brianna Pinto (CASL; Durham, N.C.), Astrid Wheeler (Concorde Fire; Atlanta, Ga.), Summer Yates (Pacific NW; Pasco, Wash.).
FORWARDS (6): Jordan Brewster (Internationals SC; North Canton, Ohio), Jordan Canniff (Washington Spirit Academy – Baltimore Armour; California, Md.), Aleigh Gambone (Texas Rush; El Paso, Texas), Rachel Jones (NTH Tophat; Lawrenceville, Ga.), Sophia Smith (Real Colorado; Windsor, Colo.), Alexa Spaanstra (Michigan Hawks; Brighton, Mich.).